The Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club (CHYSC) recently bade farewell to its outgoing leaders and welcomed a new era of leadership with a retirement party at the Venetian Social Club – a gathering that celebrated the profound impact that sports can have on local youth and the community at large.

The January event gathered over 75 guests, including current and former board members, coaches, and commissioners, along with local community leaders. The evening was not just a farewell to the retiring President Ken Flaxman and five other board members but also a celebration of the collective contributions that have shaped the CHYSC into a cornerstone of the community.

The retirees, including Roger Ashodian, Kelly Day, Joe Hohenleitner, Craig Hosay, and Brien Tilley, were honored for their initiatives that spanned strategic planning, governance, finance, and sports programming. Their parting words reflected a deep appreciation for the club's volunteer-driven ethos and the impact of sports on youth development. Brien Tilley’s sentiment, “the kids are the inspiration,” encapsulated the spirit of the evening and the club's mission.

The night also served as a platform to welcome incoming 2024 Board Officers, led by President Jody Greenblatt, alongside Amy Smith as Vice President, Callie Mattson as Treasurer, and John Donovan continuing as Secretary. Greenblatt, in her address, emphasized the club's role as a "pillar in the community," underscoring the importance of friendships and community that bind the CHYSC together.

The new leadership team, Greenblatt said, stands ready to carry on the legacy of their predecessors, and focus on the club’s mission to nurture youth through sports while fostering a sense of community and sportsmanship. As the club moves into 2024, she said, it will continue to focus on player development and expanding its community reach.

The CHYSC, a non-profit local youth sports club, has been a fixture in the Chestnut Hill community since its inception in 1962. What started as a baseball program known as the Father’s Club is now offering five coed, travel, and intramural programs and – for the first time in its history – is being led by women. 

In the years since, the club has been pivotal in teaching sportsmanship, teamwork, and community collaboration. It has also remained committed to supporting its home base, the Water Tower Recreation Center.

With seasonal sports registrations for junior and senior baseball, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, and flag football, the CHYSC is poised for a year of robust sports programming that promises to bring the community together, celebrate sportsmanship, and foster lasting friendships.

The CHYSC’s commitment extends beyond the sports field. It aims to honor the dedication and hard work of its players and families through its traditions, such as the end-of-season high fives and medals, and the recognition of long-term board service with monogrammed jackets. These traditions are a reflection of the club’s appreciation for the collective effort that makes its programs successful.

To register for a team or get more information, go to chysc.org